License plate cord winder with universal mount and ratchet

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an improved cord-winding device universally mountable to any front or rear North-American-style license plate bracket, accommodating all electrical devices, which require a 120 VAC power supply for a vehicle. The present winder includes a storage reel with a spiral coil return spring, a connection box, a male cord housing, a cord hatch and mounting holes, a closure plate and a universal mounting plate. A cord with a female receptacle extends from the housing to allow electrical connections to be made in a place well away from weather exposure such as engine or rear compartment. The universal license plate cord winder can thereby be mounted either from the top or the bottom of housing without compromising the structural integrity of the attachment while maintaining a water tightness required by such a device. A ratchet is provided to control the retraction of the male cord.

This is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/701,492 filed Nov. 6, 2003 entitled UNIVERSAL LICENSE PLATE CORDWINDER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved cord-winding deviceuniversally mountable to any front or rear North-American-style licenseplate bracket, accommodating all electrical devices, which require a 120VAC power supply for a vehicle. The present invention comprises; ahousing containing: a reel, a connection box, a male cord housing, acord hatch and mounting holes, a closure plate and a universal mountingplate. A female receptacle extends from the housing to allow electricalconnections to be made in a place away from weather exposure such asengine or rear compartment. The universal license plate cord winder ofthe present invention can also be mounted either from the top or thebottom of housing without compromising the structural integrity of theattachment while maintaining a water tightness required by such adevice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for conventional, electric or hybrid vehicles to be adaptedwith components, which require a 120 VAC power supply for operation.Such components may include: engine block heater, interior heaters,battery warmers, battery chargers and the like. These commonly requirean extension cord to function. Said cord must be rolled out of thevehicle path prior to departing.

The inventor sought to provide vehicle owners with an unobtrusive, thin,easy-to-use electrical-cord winder, which is neatly stored behind thevehicle's front or rear license plate. Furthermore, the inventor alsosought to greatly improve safety within the present invention byallowing for the electrical connection to the vehicle to be made in theengine compartment from the front plate, or in the rear compartment fromthe rear plate thus preventing exposure to the connection from theelements.

The applicant is aware of attempts in prior art to provide means ofreeling an extension cord behind a license plate.

An example of prior art may be had when referring to U.S. Pat. No.6,264,016 of Bales, issued Jul. 24, 2001 depicting a mobile power centerwith self-retracting cord having a cord spring loaded winding spindlewithin a large housing, a 12 VDC to 120 VAC inverter, and extended lipsaround the front-most perimeter of the housing so as to wrap excess cordtherearound and a female AC receptacle on housing for plugging a blockheater. However, this invention, like most of this nature will fail whenattempting to plug a block heater within the housing at the licenseplate area since most block heater cords are too short to reach muchpast the front edge of the vehicle's hood. Furthermore, at a typicaldiameter of 5.5 inches, which is the standard height of a license plate,can only hold a limited length of standard round extension cord materialthereby limiting said cord to an impractical length. Additionally, thereare no means to stabilize the housing when mounted since the unfastenededge would be separable for the license plate mounting bracket.

Another example may be had in referring to U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,471 ofUnze, issued Sep. 23, 1997, which teaches of a trailer wire recoildevice having a housing containing a rotatable member on which a trailerwire extension may be reeled thereon. The application of the device isclearly limited to trailer wires and therefore impractical for blocheaters. Again, there are no means to stabilize the housing when mountedsince the unfastened edge would be separable for the license platemounting bracket.

Another example may be had in referring to U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,216 ofMcNaughton, issued Sep. 8, 1998, which depicts a retractable extensioncord holder and receptacle for an automobile having a housing, a cordreel, a receptacle and a retractable cord. This invention also limitsthe length of cord due to restrictive housing measurements while alsofailing in that the block heater cord from the vehicle, in most caseswill not reach the cord winder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide vehicle ownerswith an improved electrical cord-winding device universally mountable toany North-American-style license plate bracket. Furthermore, the presentimproved cord winder ensures all electrical 120 VAC vehicle accessorydevices reach the winder's outlet.

In one aspect of the invention, a flat-type cord is used for theextension portion so as to allow a more compact reeling of said cordthereby increasing the usable length.

In another aspect of the invention, the female receptacle is extendedfrom the housing in order to make the connection to the electricaldevice within the vehicle's engine or rear compartment therebypreventing exposure of the connection to the weather elements.

In another aspect of the invention, a specially formed universalmounting plate is provided to stabilize the units to the license platemount while allowing secure installation to any North American stylelicense plate bracket.

In a further aspect the invention provides a retractable electrical cordwinder for a vehicle including a water resistant multi-compartmenthousing adapted to be mounted with a vehicle license plate, a pair ofelectrical cords adapted for connection between the said winder and botha vehicle and a remote source of power wherein a first one of said cordsis extensible from and retractable within said housing, a rotatablefirst cord storage reel mounted in a central housing compartment forrotation about an axis in the direction of travel of the vehicle, ahousing including a internal storage compartment adapted for storage ofthe connector end of said first electrical cord and further adapted topass the said first cord from the exterior of the said housing throughthe said storage compartment and into said central compartment uponretraction, and a coil spring adapted to urge said reel and said firstcord into a fully retracted condition with sealing means between saidcentral compartment and said storage compartment adapted to pass saidfirst electrical cord and both clean said cord and restrict waterpassage between said compartments.

The winder includes a releasable closure between said storagecompartment and the exterior of the said housing and is adapted todownwardly drain water towards the exterior of the housing when mountedto a vehicle.

In a still further aspect the invention provides a winder with a sealedconnection compartment adapted to provide for passage of and extendedsecond electrical cord from the said connection compartment to theexterior of said housing and for passage of an electrical conductorbetween said connection compartment and said reel.

The winder includes a ratchet restrained retractable reel adapted toreceive a single wind of flat electrical conductor.

Mounting is provided by a peripheral mounting channel between an edge ofsaid housing and a vehicle license plate bracket.

Accordingly, the system of the present invention therefore provides anunobtrusive, thin, easy to-use electrical cord-winding deviceuniversally mountable to any North-American-style license plate bracketwhile providing for a sheltered connection from the elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following brief description and upon referring to thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from below of the universal license platecord winder of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutout perspective view from below of the universal licenseplate cord winder of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the universal license plate cordwinder of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the universal license plate cord winderof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the universal license plate cord winder ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a left side elevation view of the universal license plate cordwinder of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the universal license platecord winder of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mounting plate portion of theuniversal license plate cord winder of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial top plan view of the universal license plate cordwinder of the present invention as installed within a conventionallicense plate bracket.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 3 of the hatchassembly portion of the universal license plate cord winder of thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 1 of the universallicense plate cord winder of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 10 of the hatchportion of the universal license plate cord winder of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a prior art example of a conventional license plate mountingbracket on which the universal mounting plate of the present inventionmay be installed.

FIG. 14 is a prior art example of a conventional license plate mountingbracket on which the universal mounting plate of the present inventionmay be installed.

FIG. 15 is a prior art example of a conventional license plate mountingbracket on which the universal mounting plate of the present inventionmay be installed.

FIG. 16 is a prior art example of a conventional license plate mountingbracket on which the universal mounting plate of the present inventionmay be installed.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view (with partial wire frame) of the housingportion of another embodiment of the universal license plate cord winderof the present invention from the perspective shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the housing embodiment shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the coil spring of the embodiment ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 20 a and 20 b are a cross-section along line A-A (FIG. 20 b) and aplan view taken from below of the ratcheting reel of the FIG. 17embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the brush closure of the FIG. 17embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective of the housing embodiment of FIG. 17 withoutthe ratcheting reel assembly of FIGS. 19 and 20.

FIGS. 23 a and 23 b are perspective views of the housing of FIG. 22 withthe electrical raceways in position and the reel in positionrespectively, but without the spiral spring.

FIGS. 24 a and 24 b are a plan view and a side elevation respectively ofthe butterfly electrical connection.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the ratchet pawl of the preferredembodiment of FIGS. 17 through 26.

FIGS. 26 a and 26 b are a side elevation and a central cross-sectionrespectively of the ratchet-release button of the FIG. 17 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have beengiven similar reference numerals.

Turning to the drawings, in particular, FIG. 1, which illustrates aperspective view from below of the universal license plate cord winder 1of the present invention showing; a housing 2 having an inner moldedspindle 4, a plurality of mounting bolt holes 6, a splatter guard 8, areceptacle cord 10, a receptacle cord outlet 12 and cord to housingconnecting member 14, a hatch assembly having; a hatch 20, and knob 22,and a mounting plate 30.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a cutout perspective view from below of theuniversal license plate cord winder 1 of the present inventioncomprising; a housing 2 having an inner molded spindle 4, a plurality ofelongated mounting screw holes 6 having hole extensions 5, a pluralityof screw assembly receivers 11, a splatter guard 8, a receptacle cord10, a receptacle cord outlet 12, a cord to housing connecting member 14,and a power-on indicator light 32, a reel assemble 17 having a springcoil 15 an electrical raceway 19 for continuous conductivity, a malecord end 3, an extension cord 13, a hatch assembly having; a hatch 20,and knob 22, a closure plate 9 having hole-extension receiving members 7and perforations therethrough for receiving fasteners in assembly, and amounting plate 30.

In reference now to FIG. 3, a front elevation view of the universallicense plate cord winder of the present invention illustrating inparticular, the splatter guard 8 and how it prevents oncoming rain andsplatter from leading vehicles to enter the housing 2 of the presentinvention. The power-on indicator light 32 is also positioned so as tobe viewed from the front, top and side of the vehicle.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a bottom plan view of the universal license platecord winder of the present invention illustrating more particularly thepositioning of the mounting plate 30 combinedly attached to the closureplate 9 and housing 2 with bolts. The mounting plate 30 having extrudedmember 41 extending rearwardly from the housing assembly 2, and flanges40 extending outwardly from the extruded members 41 distal from thehousing to an apparent edge equal to the outer edges of the housing 2.

In reference now to FIG. 5, a top plan view of the universal licenseplate cord winder of the present invention illustrating the correlationbetween the mounting plate 30 and the housing assembly 2. The topportion of the housing has no openings in which moisture couldpenetrate. The power-on indicator light 32 is also shielded from saidmoisture with a rim barrier 45. The hatch assembly 50, is provided withan awning member 18 again to prevent moisture from leaking within thehatch knob channel.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a left side elevation view of the universallicense plate cord winder of the present invention illustrating againthe correlation between the mounting plate 30 and the housing assembly2. The left side portion of the housing has a sealed opening in whichthe power-on indicator light 32 is installed and also shielded from saidmoisture with a rim barrier 45.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a right side elevation view of the universallicense plate cord winder of the present invention showing inparticular, the hatch assembly within the housing 2. An hatch knobchannel 48 receives a protruding member of the hatch knob 22, which saidprotruding member snaps firmly in place within a mating opening troughthe hatch 20 thereby connecting the hatch knob 22 and the hatch 20. Aspring 24 applies constant downward pressure on the hatch to ensure saidhatch 20 remains closed when not in use. Furthermore, said spring 24, byapplying greater pressure onto the male cord 10 than the pressureexcreted by the recoil spring 15 of the reel 21, thereby allows saidspringed hatch 20 to act as a brake to prevent male cord wire 10 fromrecoiling when in use. To recoil said cord 10, user simply lifts hatch20 with knob 22. A splatter guard 8 and awning 18 also help preventmoisture and splatter from entering the housing.

In reference now to FIG. 8, a perspective view from the rear of themounting plate portion 30 of the universal license plate cord winder ofthe present invention wherein said plate 30 is formed from a resilientsheet material having extruded member 41 extending rearwardly from thehousing assembly 2, and flanges 40 extending outwardly from the extrudedmembers 41 distal from the housing to an apparent edge equal to theouter edges of the housing 2. A plurality elongated perforations 51traverse said plate 30 thereby allowing mounting bolts to traverse plate30 to be attached to the license plate mounting bracket.

The universal mounting plate 30 therefore installs where a license platewould normally be placed.

In reference to FIG. 9, illustrating a partial top plan view of thepresent invention illustrated as installed within a conventional licenseplate mounting plate 60 wherein the extension members 41 of the mountingplate 30 of the present invention extend the flanged members 40 towithin the depth of the license plate mounting bracket 60 therebyproviding a stable and dependable installation of the housing 2 of thepresent invention. Once the mounting bolts are attached to the licenseplate mounting bracket 60, the device of the present invention issecuredly attached to the vehicle without fear of detachment.

FIG. 10, a cross sectional view taken from FIG. 3 illustrates the innercomponents that make up the sliding hatch assembly 50 and the connectingmember's 11 relationship to the housing assembly wherein, a housing 2integrally includes an upper spring guide 46, a connecting member 11 andknob slot. A closure 9 also integrally includes a lower spring guide 47and a perforation through which a screw 36 may traverse to be engagedwithin the hollow bore of the connecting member 11. The upper springguide 46 and the lower spring guide 47, when the housing 2 and closure 9are assembled, form a generally cylindrical void of sufficient diameterto accept a spring of slightly lesser diameter than that of theabove-mentioned void thereby preventing said spring from bucklingoutside its desired path. A hatch 20 is illustrated, having a height andwidth slightly lesser than an opening between the upper spring guide 46and the upper inner surface of the outer wall portion of the housing 2,and between the lower spring guide 47 and the lower inner surface of theouter wall portion of the housing 2. A knob 22 having a snap-typeprotrusion passes through an elongated opening at the side wall portionof the housing 2, and is securedly attached to the hatch 20 therebyproviding mechanical integration of the hatch 20 from outside thehousing assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 2,illustrating the mounting bolt holes 6 comprising; hole extensions 5integral with the housing 2, and hole extension receiving members 7integral with the closure portion 9. The mounting plate 30 is alsoadapted with such a elongated perforation 51 thereby allowing throughtraverse of a mounting bolts 55 during installation of the presentinvention. The bolts 55 passes through similar holes in conventionallicense plates 60, then through the mounting bolt hole 6, through theclosure 9 and are then held firmly in place with nuts 52.

Turning now to FIG. 12, a cross-sectional view taken from FIG. 11,further illustrating the hatch assembly 50 of the universal licenseplate cord winder of the present invention wherein, a hatch 20 having aperforation therethrough accepts a snap-type connector 28 integral withthe hatch knob, and a spring pin 57 is slidably engaged between theupper spring guide 46 and the upper inner surface of the outer wallportion of the housing 2, and between the lower spring guide 47 and thelower inner surface of the outer wall portion of the housing 2. Thehousing 2 integrally includes a secondary spring pin 56, on which acompression spring 24 frictionally attaches therearound. Said spring 24also frictionally attaches to the spring pin 57 of the hatch 20. Thehatch 20, being slidably engaged within the housing thereby can be movedagainst the spring 24 to gain access to the male power cord through anopening 58 in the housing 2 created by raising the hatch 20, andautomatically closes against the power cord when hatch knob 22 isreleased. The spring 24, by applying greater pressure onto the male cordthan the pressure excreted by the recoil spring of the reel, therebyallows said springed hatch 20 to act as a brake to prevent male cordwire from recoiling when in use. To recoil said cord, user simply liftshatch 20 with knob 22.

FIGS. 13 to 16 illustrate prior art examples of conventional licenseplate mounting brackets 60 on which the universal mounting plate of thepresent invention may be installed. FIG. 13 includes a top flange 70under which the top flange of the present mounting plate would first gointo, then bolted through the two bottom holes of the license platemounting brackets 60. FIG. 14 includes a bottom flange 71 under whichthe bottom flange of the present mounting plate would first go into,then bolted through the two top holes of the license plate mountingbrackets 60. FIG. 15 includes two side flanges 72 and 73 under whichboth side flanges of the present mounting plate would slide behind, thenbolted through both either top or bottom holes of the license platemounting brackets 60. FIG. 16 includes two side flanges 72 and 73, and abottom flange 71 under which both side flanges and the bottom flange ofthe present mounting plate would slide behind from the top, then boltedthrough both either top or bottom holes of the license plate mountingbrackets 60.

In FIGS. 17 through 26 inclusive is shown a further preferred embodimentof the universal winder la of the invention with a ratchet-operated cordreel in which the numbers correspond to items found in the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1 through 16 inclusive.

The perspective view of the housing base 2 of the winder 1 a of theinvention shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 includes a universal attachmentextension 100 which may be a single universal mounting plate as shown at30 in FIG. 8, an integrally molded into the body of the housing base 2or provided by a plurality of individual separate side brackets. Waterresistant hole extensions 5 are provided at each of 6 elongated mountingscrew holes 6 and provide a water tight compression fit between housingbase 2 and a flat cover plate 9 as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Reel assembly 17 is shown with a central spindle 4 and a ratchet ring101. Ratchet ring 101 is preferably formed as part of the reel assembly17 near is periphery and opposite from the electrical components shownin FIGS. 22 and 23. The interior of ratchet ring 101 is a flat spiralrecoil spring 102 shown specifically in perspective in FIG. 19. Spring102 is centrally secured to spindle 4 as at 103 in FIG. 19 and securedas at 104 to ratchet ring as at 105 in FIG. 18. Retraction of electricalcord 13 causes counterclockwise rotation of reel assembly 17 against thespring 102. Retraction of the electrical cord 13 is prevented by ratchetpall mechanism 106 in FIG. 18. Pall 106 is retained in position byretention spring 107 and released by movement of shaft 109 upon manualapplied pressure to external knob 108. Thus, pressure on knob 108releases the ratchet pall 106 from ratchet wheel 101 and permitsclockwise rotation of reel assembly 17 under pressure from coil spring102 and retraction of the cord 13.

As shown in FIGS. 20 a (cross-section) and 20 b (top plan view) reelassembly 17 includes an partially open central hub 109 adapted forsecure electrical connection between cord 13 and electrical raceways foreach electrical line which are preferably 2 or 3 concentric circularrings recessed into a face of reel 17 opposite ratchet ring 101. Centralto hub 109 is a bearing collar 109 a adapted to receive spindle 4. Asopposed to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 raceways 19 are adjacent hub109 and coil spring 102 extends from spindle 4 to the ratchet ring 101.

Housing base 2 of the winder includes a cord connector cavity 110 asshown in FIGS. 17 and 18 which is preferably adjacent a corner of thewinder and, further, preferably oriented downwards to facilitate waterflow outwards from the cavity as in FIG. 2 and opposite to the viewshown in FIG. 18. As cord is rewound through cavity 110 onto reel 17 thecord is retracted until the male connector end 3 (FIG. 2) is completelyenclosed in cavity 110 when not in use.

Cavity 110 is preferably formed with wall segments 111 and 112 toprovide an internal passageway as at 113 in FIG. 17. A co-operating pairof brush closure elements 114 are mounted to the inboard ends of wallsegments 111 and 112 with opposing and interacting bristles 115 whichclean debris, snow, ice and water from cord 13 as it passes betweenthem. Brush elements 114 are shown in detail in FIG. 21.

Cavity 110 is closed to the exterior elements by rotatable clasp 119including a cylindrical bearing 122 and a door 123 adapted to rotatewith opening 121 in housing base 2 and selectively open or close opening120 against the elements for access to the cord 13.

Housing base 2 is depicted in perspective and plan views in FIG. 22without reel assembly 17, brush closure elements 114 or pawl 109. Base 2includes a floor plate 116 bearing upstanding spindle 4. Preferably wirechannels 117 are integrally formed into floor plate 116 and act both asguides and as restraints for 2 or 3 wire conductors as required. Eachchannel 117 ends with an individual butterfly connectors 118 preferablymounted directly to electrical conductors (not shown) and floor plate116 by upstanding connection post 118′ and butterfly mounting holes 118″as shown in FIGS. 24 a and 24 b. Butterfly connectors 118 provideindividual upstanding electrical connections with raceway rings mountedto the reel assembly 17 for continuous electrical connections to cord 13mounted to said reel 17 in a known manner.

Housing base 2 of the winder also includes a vehicle connection cavity124 which preferably is formed into base 2 by a wall 125 and providesstorage space for excess vehicle connection cord extending throughopening 150 and into the vehicle. Wall elements 111, 112 and 125preferably extend the depth of the housing 2 from the floor plate 116 toa planar cover and provide both a double wall water resistance barrierand mechanical support between the floor plate 116 and the cover.

Wall 125 may be positioned to the outboard of screw holes 6 as in FIG.17 or, alternatively, inboard of screw holes 16 for a larger storagecavity 125 and more centralized support. Further, wall elements 111 and112 may include extensions the width of the housing.

Release button 108 is external to the housing base 2 and adapted toactivate ratchet pall by shaft 109, FIG. 18.

Preferably release button 108 includes a compressible weather seal as at126 which may be integral with button 108 as at 126 in FIG. 25 orseparate.

FIGS. 23 a, 23 b and 23 c show the reel assembly 17 in stages ofinstallation.

FIG. 23 a is a perspective view of the housing base 2 without the reelassembly but for its integral electrical raceway rings 151. In FIG. 23 bthe balance of the reel assembly 17 has been added by mounting onspindle 4 but without showing the spiral spring 102.

FIGS. 26 a and 26 b shown the release knob 108 in detail with FIG. 26 bas a cross-section of the knob 108 taken along line B-B in FIG. 26 a.Compressible seal 126 is shown formed integrally with knob 108 by aflexible skirt 127. Knob 108 includes a cylindrical cavity 128 which issecured to shaft 109 (not shown) upon assembly.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of ratchet pawl 106 with its bearing107 which is installed over post 129 as in FIG. 22. While the inventionis described in conjunction with preferred illustrated embodiments, itwill be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention tosuch embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover allalternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1) A retractable electrical cord winder for a vehicle comprising: a) Awater resistant multi-compartment housing adapted to be mounted with avehicle license plate, b) A pair of electrical cords adapted forconnection between the said winder and both a vehicle and a remotesource of power wherein a first one of said cords is extensible from andretractable within said housing, c) A rotatable first cord storage reelmounted in a central housing compartment for rotation about an axis inthe direction of travel of the vehicle, d) Said housing including ainternal storage compartment adapted for storage of the connector end ofsaid first electrical cord and further adapted to pass the said firstcord from the exterior of the said housing through the said storagecompartment and into said central compartment upon retraction, e) Springmeans adapted to urge said reel and said first cord into a fullyretracted condition, 2) A winder as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising sealing means between said central compartment and saidstorage compartment. 3) A winder as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidsealing means is adapted to pass said first electrical cord and bothclean said cord and restrict water passage between said compartments. 4)A winder as claimed in claim 3 further comprising releasable closuremeans between said storage compartment and the exterior of the saidhousing. 5) A winder as claimed in claim 4 said storage compartment isadapted to downwardly drain water towards the exterior of the housingwhen mounted to a vehicle. 6) A winder as claimed in claims 1 through 5further comprising a connection compartment adapted to provide forpassage of and extended second electrical cord from the said connectioncompartment to the exterior of said housing and for passage of anelectrical conductor between said connection compartment and said reel.7) A winder as claimed in claim 6 further comprising sealing meansbetween said central compartment and said connection compartment. 8) Awinder as claimed in claim 7 wherein said housing includes conductorrestraint means between said connection compartment and said reel and anelectrical raceway between said conductor and said reel. 9) A winder asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said raceway includes upstanding butterflyrunners and circular rings mounted to said reel for continuouselectrical connection between said conductor and said first electricalcord. 10) A winder as claimed in claims 1 through 9 wherein said pair ofelectrical cords is generally flat. 11) A winder as claimed in claim 10further comprising a ratchet and pawl mechanism adapted to selectivelyrestrict retraction of said first electrical cord. 12) A winder asclaimed in claim 11 wherein said ratchet mechanism includes a ratchetring integrally mounted to said reel and a pawl mounted to said housing.13) A winder as claimed in claim 12 wherein said housing furthercomprises an external pawl release button adapted to main awater-resistant seal with said housing. 14) A winder as claimed in claim13 wherein said reel is substantially planar and adapted to carry asingle wind of said first flat electrical cord. 15) A winder as claimedin claim 14 wherein said spring is mounted between said reel and itsaxis of rotation adjacent a side of said reel opposite from said racewayand adjacent ratchet ring. 16) A winder as claimed in claim 15 whereinsaid raceway is adjacent a central hub of said reel. 17) A winder asclaimed in claim 16 where said housing includes mounting holes each withaligned support spacers internal to said housing and adapted to supportits sides. 18) A winder as claimed in claim 17 wherein said supportspacers are formed integrally with the base or the cover of saidhousing. 19) A winder as claimed in claim 18 wherein said supportspacers are formed integrally with both the base and the cover of saidhousing. 20) A winder as claimed in any of claims 1 through 19 furtherincluding universal mounting means adapted to provide a peripheralmounting channel between an edge of said housing and a vehicle licenseplate bracket. 21) A winder as claimed in claim 20 wherein said mountingchannel is provided between said housing and an L-shaped peripheral edgeof a generally planar mounting plate. 22) A winder as claimed in claim21 wherein said mounting plated is separable from said housing.